Police Scotland has criticised Celtic for failing to put plans in place for an official title party if they retain the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, as the club prepare to face Hearts in a winner-takes-all match at Parkhead that kicks off at 12:30. Celtic need to win to seal the league for the fifth year in a row.
The force said it already has a comprehensive plan aimed at minimising disruption to local communities and avoiding widespread disorder, but wants the clubs to establish an organised event or fanzone so supporters can celebrate safely and reduce the impact on the local community. Alan Waddell, speaking for Police Scotland, has pushed for a response that would make those celebrations easier to manage if Celtic finish the job.
The final-day showdown was confirmed on Wednesday after Celtic beat Motherwell with a VAR-awarded penalty in the 99th minute, a result that kept the title race alive heading into the weekend. Earlier this month, Rangers were knocked out of contention after losing to Hearts, leaving Celtic and Hearts as the only sides with anything left to decide on the season’s last day.
Police Scotland’s concern is rooted in recent experience. Celtic fans have traditionally gathered in the Trongate and Merchant City after title successes, while last year’s celebrations involved mass street drinking and pyrotechnics and led to 20 arrests. A smaller celebration the year before still produced 19 arrests and left four officers injured. Police officers have already been supporting Glasgow City Council in talks with Celtic and Rangers during what has become one of the closest title races in years.
The wider backdrop has also turned tense. The Scottish Football Association said referee John Beaton and his family spent the previous night at home under police surveillance after a leak of personal details online, and police said a 19-year-old man had been arrested and charged on Friday in connection with a data protection offence. He is due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court later. The association blamed what it called a hysterical media narrative and urged tolerance and perspective to prevent any further, unthinkable escalation.
There is still one more layer to the weekend. If Hearts get the point they need to win the title, they are due to stage an open-top bus parade through Edinburgh on Sunday. For now, the focus is on Parkhead, where Celtic can settle the title on their own ground — and where police want the celebration, if it comes, to be organised before the city has to absorb it.
